Deliberately, Traian moved close to an alcove where weapons lined the racks. No light illuminated the case nearly hidden by the surrounding ice and certainly no weapon moved toward him. He beckoned Jubal over.
Reluctantly, Jubal followed the summons. At once the alcove lit up and the weapons moved as if coming to life. A strange-looking device actually came away from the wall where it had been hung. Star-shaped, it was ringed with curved blades. Obviously a weapon, it floated through the air straight toward him, although there was no seeming threat.
“Hold out your hand,” Traian commanded.
“No!” Joie hurried toward her brother to stop him.
Traian caught her as she went to rush past him, his grip impossible to break. “Hold out your hand,” he said again, his tone brooking no argument.
Puzzled, Jubal did so. The strange weapon floated easily to him, at the last moment, opening as if hinged in the center to wrap itself around his wrist. It locked with a firm click.
Gabrielle gasped and stepped toward her brother. Traian’s arm kept her back. “Who are you?” he demanded. “Only a mage can command such a weapon.”
“I’m not mage,” Jubal protested.
“We have the same parents,” Joie snapped. “He isn’t adopted—Mom gave birth to him and Dad is his father. If he’s mage, we all are.”
“How the hell do I get this thing off?” Jubal demanded. He pushed at it with his fingers. “It’s very lightweight. I can barely feel it on me. As for commanding it, Traian, I’d have no idea how to do it.”
“He isn’t mage,” Joie said again. She pulled away from Traian, one hand sliding to the hilt of her knife.
Traian stepped close to Jubal and placed both hands on either side of his head, fingers over his pulse. He allowed his mind to merge with Jubal’s through their blood bond. The man was extremely intelligent, brilliant even, but Traian could find no hint of evil, no hint of magic or mage training.
He let out his breath slowly. “You can remove the knife from my balls, Joie.” He could easily read his lifemate’s mind, just as he could pick up the thoughts of her siblings. Joie loved her brother and sister and would willingly sacrifice her own happiness for them if need be. If he dared to harm her brother, she would have tried to kill him.
“You all right, Jubal?” she asked, sliding the knife carefully away from Traian.
“Yes. I felt Traian moving through my mind, but I didn’t feel a threat, only reassurance. Whatever the reason, this place responds to me—and I have no idea why—I don’t have a clue about any of the things in this cave.”
Gabrielle shook her head. “He would have killed Jubal. Are you certain, Joie? This is your choice? We don’t really know him at all.”
Joie felt the possession in Traian’s touch, felt the brush of his mind in hers. She smiled up at him in reassurance. At the same time, she reached for Gabrielle’s hand.
“I know him. Deep inside, I know him. The one thing that matters to me is family. I hope I know what I’m doing, Gabrielle. You know I’ve always relied on my instincts. I feel this is right—he’s right. I don’t understand any of it, but maybe I’ve been preparing for him all of my life. I fit with him. You’re right, I don’t know him yet, but I fit with him.” She rubbed her face, smearing mud across it. “A one-and-only sort of thing.”
Jubal groaned. “Joie, I never thought you’d turn all mushy romantic on us.” He slung his arm around Gabrielle’s shoulder. “He’s solid, honey. Weird, but solid.”
Gabrielle exchanged a long look with Jubal and turned to Joie. “Well, I suppose your life with him will always be interesting.”
“My sisters have already put gray in my hair,” Jubal announced. “I won’t survive Traian hanging around, howling at the moon, biting Joie’s neck. And, just for the record, stay the hell away from mine, Traian. Having a woman bite my neck might be a turn-on—kinky, maybe, but I could handle it. Having a man bite my neck is out of the question. Doesn’t do a thing for me,” Jubal said dryly.
“Ouch. That hurts, Jubal,” Traian said. “I was really looking forward to a snack later.” He leaned down to brush the top of Joie’s head with his chin. He had to touch her, keep reminding himself she was real. Even when they were speaking telepathically while he searched